About the Pledge

When you take the pledge, you’re making a difference.

Chicago Says No More is focused on ending the silence and changing the way that America talks about—and doesn’t talk about—domestic violence and sexual assault. It’s about ending the excuses and misinformation that are used to shelter this American epidemic.

 

This needs to be a truly national conversation. And for that to happen, Chicago needs to lend its voice, to pledge and to say: No More.

3,369
PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED THE PLEDGE TO SAY NO MORE

About Us

Learn more about Chicago Says No More

Chicago Says No More is dedicated to addressing the challenges of domestic violence and sexual assault in the Chicago metro area and across Illinois. It is aligned with the national NO MORE campaign that was started by a coalition of leading advocacy groups, service providers, and major corporations.

 

The initial goals of Chicago Says No More are to:

  • Marshal resources of the Chicago metro area to combat domestic violence and sexual assault.
  • Change the culture and conversation about domestic violence and sexual assault so citizens can make a difference.
  • Provide fresh, innovative ways to leverage resources offered by myriad not-for-profit domestic violence and sexual assault organizations by establishing system-wide solutions to challenges they experience.

Steering committee

Deanne Benos, Executive Director

TEST400K

 

Lauran Bromley

 

Debbie Buckley, Director

Community Partnerships & Business Development

CBS 2 Chicago

 

Joyce M. Coffee, CEO

Executive Director

Family Rescue, Inc.

 

Daniel J. Conti, Ph.D., Managing Director

Employee Assistance & WorkLife Program

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

 

Rev. Charles W. Dahm, O.P., Director

Domestic Violence Outreach

Archdiocese of Chicago

 

Rebecca Darr, Chief Executive Officer

WINGS

 

Pat Davenport, Executive Director

A Safe Place

 

Wendy Dickson, Domestic Violence Director

YWCA Evanston/North Shore

 

Melissa Flores, Senior Director of Programs & Quality Assurance

Erie Neighborhood House

 

Ellie Forman, Vice President

Corporate Community Relations

Mesirow Financial

 

Marjorie Fujara, M.D., Pediatrician

Child & Family Wellness

John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital

 

Carol Gall, MA, CDVP, Executive Director

Sarah’s Inn

 

Neusa Gaytan, Senior Vice President

Programs

Mujeres Latinas en Acción

 

Radhika Sharma Gordon, MPH, Manager

Outreach and Education

Apna Ghar

 

Deborah Graham, Senior Advisor

Illinois State Treasurer

 

Jennifer Greene, Policy Director

Life Span

 

Madeline Gregory, Lead Communications Consultant

The Allstate Foundation

 

Rachel Haas, Managing Director

Communications & Digital

NO MORE

 

Keri Holleb Hotaling, Partner

Jenner & Block LLP

 

Linda Imonti, Managing Partner

KPMG LLP

 

Shawnte Jenkins-Alexander, Ed.D, LCPC, Senior Director

Advocacy and Investigative Services

Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center

 

Sarah Layden, Director of Programs and Public Policy

Resilience

Maria C. Lin, Director

Human Resources

Northwestern Medicine

 

Mary MacLaren, Retired Executive Director

The Executives’ Club of Chicago

 

Jessica McCarihan, Board President

A New Direction

 

Dr. Alicen-J. McGowan, LCPC

Parent-Child Therapist

 

Dorri McWhorter, Chief Executive Officer

YWCA Metropolitan Chicago

 

Vicki Meilach, ICDVP

 

Matthew J. O’Shea, Alderman

City of Chicago, 19th Ward

 

Shareese Pryor, Acting Chief

Civil Rights Bureau

Office of the Attorney General of Illinois

 

Amanda Pyron, Executive Director

The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence

 

Charlene D. Quint, J.D.

Charlene D. Quint, Counselor at Law, LLC

 

Valerie Reynolds, Communications Director

Ci3

The University of Chicago

 

Shawnelle Richie, Director

Communications & Public Affairs

CBS 2 Chicago

 

Amy Rubin, Senior Director

Community Services

Jewish Child & Family Services

 

Carol Ruderman, Executive Director

SHALVA

 

Tonya Schassburger, Director of Residential Services

Crisis Center for South Suburbia

 

Itedal Shalabi, Co-Founder and Executive Director

Arab American Family Services

 

Vickie Smith, CEO and Executive Director

Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence

 

Julie Smolyansky, Founder

TEST400K

 

Charlie Stoops, PhD, Co-Founder

Center for Advancing Domestic Peace Inc./

Associate Professor, School of Social Work

Dominican University

 

Mary Toomey, Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Bank of America

 

Shelley Vaughan, Executive Director

Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault

 

Erin Walton, Executive Director

Resilience

 

Carrie Ward, Executive Director

Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Collaborating to make a difference

Resources

For victims, witnesses and loved ones

Remember that you are not to blame for being abused or mistreated, and that you are not the cause of your abuser’s behavior. You deserve to be treated with respect, and deserve a safe and happy life. And remember that you are not alone. There are people waiting to help you.

Domestic violence resources

 

Hotline

 

Local resources

Care for Pets

National resources

Sexual assault resources

 

Hotline

 

Local resources

National resources

For legal assistance

  • Life Span
    312.408.1210
    Offers legal representation to empower survivors of domestic and sexual violence

For the abuser

If you think you might be an abuser, you should remember:

  • Abuse is always a choice. Don’t make excuses or blame others.
  • Think about the consequences of your abuse.
  • Accept that you have hurt people.
  • Do not try to justify your actions.
  • Accept the personal and legal consequences of your actions.

  • Get help. A good rehabilitation program will help you stop being abusive and will make better relationships possible.
  • If you have a partner, respect their right to be safe and healthy as you work toward change, even if it means you cannot be together.
  • Changing is a difficult but necessary process. But you are not alone.

National resources

Local resources

  • Center for Advancing Domestic Peace Inc.
    312.265.0206
    A project to provide partner abuse intervention services and teach relationship skills that can help program participants end their violence
  • Hope at St. Pius V
    312.226.6161
    Helps the whole family – those who suffer violence, perpetrate violence or witness violence – free itself and heal its wounds
  • IPDAV – Lake County
    847.249.0005

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HELPLINE: 1-877-863-6338

SEXUAL ASSAULT HELPLINE: 1-888-293-2080

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE: 877.863.6338

SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE: 888.293.2080

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